Related Party Transactions and Arrangements (Revenue from Cole REITs) (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) real_estate_program	Mar. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 31,311	$ 26,728
Number of real estate programs excluded from related party revenues | real_estate_program		1,031
Affiliated Entity [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Interest income		$ 308	408
Offering-related fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		12,391	3,117
Securities commissions [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		7,041	1,775
Dealer manager and distribution fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		2,640	716
Reimbursement revenue [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		2,710	626
Transaction service fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		2,384	9,409
Acquisition fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		1,702	4,488
Disposition fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		0	4,350
Reimbursement revenues [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		682	571
Management fees and reimbursements [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		16,228	13,794
Asset and property management fees and leasing fees [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		55	103
Advisory and performance fee revenue [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		12,050	11,173
Reimbursement revenues [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 4,123	2,518
Selling commissions [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Selling commissions reallowed		100.00%
Dealer manager fees reimbursement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 1,000	300
Disposition fee revenue [Member] | CCIT [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues	$ 4,400
Revenue from Managed Real Estate Investment Trusts, Excluding Fees from Real Estate Programs [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related-party revenues		$ 200	$ 1,200